Thought ya'll would like to read what CPOs do every day. You only read what makes it in the DGIF Outdoor report. I hope this gives you more insight into what we do. These officers not only serve you and protect wildlife, but they also protect their communities. I am just pround to be a part of such a dedicated group.

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Region 1
On Wednesday October 22, 2008, Officers Tyler Bumgarner and Josh Jackson received a call from the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Department in reference to a possible armed subject dressed in camouflage clothing walking behind the county elementary school. The school went into lock down as a precaution. Officers Bumgarner and Jackson arrived and found a vehicle with Maryland plates adjacent to the school property. The officers began a track from the vehicle into the wooded area which was behind the school. The CPOs did locate the subject and discovered that what was perceived as a potential long gun was actually a metal detector in his possession. The suspect was trespassing on school property looking for artifacts around an old home site.

On Saturday, October 25th Officer Krista Myers responded to a call of a missing boater in a private pond on the historic Berkley Plantation in Charles City County. After initial scene assessment, Officer Myers contacted DGIF dispatch and requested the dive team to respond to assist in locating a presumed drowning victim. Region One dive team members Officer McCuistion and Officer Booden responded to the scene. Along with members of the Chesterfield County dive team, two dives were conducted on the evening of the 25th. On the following Sunday morning, Officers McCuistion, Booden and Sgt. Hart planned another search of the area using the approximate location of the victim’s jacket. Within 5 minutes of beginning the search, the victim was recovered.

On patrol during the week of October 19, 2008, Officer Ken Williams discovered an illegal dog training fox pen consisting of several acres in Northumberland County. During the morning of October 26, 2008, Officer Williams and Sgt. Rich Goszka returned to the area to continue their investigation. While nearing the pen the officers could hear dogs in a chase and then observed a pack of hounds chasing several gray fox inside the pen. The officers located several leg hold traps set on the outside of the pen. Also discovered inside the pen was a holding facility containing 2 red foxes and 2 gray foxes. While documenting the evidence a "gator" type vehicle entered the area and began checking the trap line. The officers confronted the suspect, who turned out to be the owner of the property. The suspect confessed that he knew he was running an illegal fox pen. The officers also observed several deer carcasses and tree stands on the property. The suspect confessed to Officer Williams that he killed two bucks during the archery season, one with his crossbow and another with a rifle. The suspect admitted that he did not register either deer. The suspect also took Officer Williams to two baited tree stands located on the property. Officer Williams will be obtaining warrants for charges.

On Thursday October 23rd, Conservation Officer Booden was flagged down by a Southampton County deputy requesting his assistance to conduct a vehicle search for drugs. With the driver secured in the deputy’s vehicle, Officer Booden and another deputy spoke with the passenger. The passenger revealed the hidden location of the drugs in the vehicle. A large quantity of marijuana, 2 large bags of an unknown white powder, $5,000.00 cash, and numerous prescription drugs, including methadone, scales, plastic baggies and smoking paraphernalia was found. Both subjects were arrested by the Southampton deputy for numerous traffic and felony charges.



Region 2

On October 26, 2008, a Sunday morning at 0200 hours, CPO Brandon Edwards and CPO James Slaughter were working spotlighting and responded to a call for assistance from a Franklin county deputy. A party attended by approximately 100 people had gotten out of hand . A male victim from Danville was shot four times with a .357 magnum revolver. He is currently hospitalized and expected to recover. The shooter, a Franklin county felon fled and is still being sought by local law enforcement.

On Sunday evening at approximately 1900 hours, CPO Brandon Edwards and CPO Eric Dotterer were checking the Smith Mountain WMA and encountered two "campers". The male occupant of one vehicle was arrested for possessing a half gallon of "moonshine". The female occupant of the second vehicle was charged with possession on marijuana. She became incoherent and addressed both Officers as "God" before threatening to commit suicide. She was arrested and taken before a magistrate in Pittsylvania county where she was involuntarily committed for mental evaluation.

On 10-24-08, Officer Eric Plaster was on his way home when he observed a vehicle driving erratically on Rt 460 in Salem City. Officer Plaster immediately notified his supervisor of the activity. While on the phone with his supervisor, the suspect vehicle struck a car at a stop light and drove away. Officer Plaster stopped the vehicle and called Salem City for assistance. Salem Police arrived and assisted Officer Plaster with the incident. The suspect was subsequently arrested for DUI and Felony Driving while Declared a Habitual Offender.

On 10-25-08, Senior Officer Frank Neighbors and Officer Dallas Neel were patrolling Pike Road in Bedford County when they observed an ATV operating on the highway. The ATV operator was also not wearing a helmet. When the ATV operator saw the officers, the operator increased his speed and attempted to flee the area. The officers turned around and began a search for the ATV and it's operator. Utilizing their tactical tracking skills the officers eventually located the ATV and it's operator. The operator was arrested for Felony DUI, Reckless Driving, Fail to Stop for Police, Operate an ATV on the highway and Operating an ATV without a helmet.

On Saturday, October 18, 2008, several District 21 Conservation Police Officers participated in a joint special operation with North Carolina Department of Wildlife Resource Officers along the border of Virginia and North Carolina near the Patrick and Henry county lines. Several areas that have received complaints of night hunting and spotlighting were worked from aircraft flown by North Carolina officers. Although the night was uneventful, plans were made for future joint operations along the state line. Habitual violators have been successful in eluding officers in both states by fleeing across the respective borders.

On October 20, 2008, Conservation Police Officers Brandon Edwards and Joe Williams apprehended a father and son in Franklin County that killed a small bear cub with a .22 caliber pistol. When confronted, the suspect claimed that he was attacked by the "large" bear. Investigation revealed that the cub climbed down a tree and startled the bow hunter who then fell back on his quiver of arrows and "scratched" his head. His son helped him load the bear and transport it to the fathers residence. Multiple charges were placed against the two violators.

Region 3

On October 15, Lieutenant Rex Hill and Conservation Police Officer Dan Hall were investigating reports of illegal hunting and ATV use in the Camp section of Smyth County. Reports were received relating to a breaking and entering investigation by the Smyth County Sheriff's Office of a cabin located in the Saddle Brook section of the Camp area. Utilizing Lieutenant Hill's assigned unmarked vehicle, the officers were able to enter into the area which is heavily populated with recreational and permanent residences. While investigating possible areas for illegal activity, the officers observed two male subjects in possession of archery equipment on an ATV traveling north on Hale Lake Road. A determination was made to stop the ATV and this was effective without further incident. The owner and operator of the ATV was issued summonses by Officer Hall for operating an ATV on the highway and for not wearing a helmet. The officers returned the passenger on the ATV to his residence so that arrangements could be made to haul the ATV from the roadway. When the officers arrived at the residence, Officer Hall noticed blood evident on the tailgate of a pickup located in the driveway. A spotlight was lying in the seat of the vehicle in plain view. The passenger of the ATV was determined to be the owner of the pickup and initially said that the blood was from, "hauling a couple hog hams for a friend". After Officer Hall found evidence of deer hair in the bed of the pickup, the subject stated that his son had killed a deer on the back of the property on Monday, October 13. He transported the deer with his pickup to the residence and dismembered it. When asked if the deer had been checked, the subject stated that, "he hoped so". Officer Hall then proceeded with a follow up interview of the 17 year old son on October 17 with the mother of the son present. The young man stated that he had not checked the deer in. Charges for unlawful possession and fail to check deer as required will be issued to the father and son relating to the incident.

On October 17,a case involving a report of a black bear attack in the was successfully completed. The case began in June 2008 with a report of a black bear attack in the Walker's Creek area of Smyth County. A Smyth County man was found guilty of taking black bear during closed season and taking black bear in a baited area. Through a plea agreement between the gentleman's court appointed counsel and the Smyth County Commonwealth Attorney Office, the man received the following: a 180-day jail sentence with 120 days suspended, a $2000.00 replacement fee for one black bear, and activesupervised probation for a period of one year. In addition to these penalties, the man also had both his hunting license and privilege to hunt in Virginia revoked until June 30, 2010. The firearm involved in the case was also forfeited for destruction. The man also received a $100.00 fine relating to the baiting incident.

On 10-21-08 Conservation Police Officer Frank W. Gough was officially recognized by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers at Bluestone Dam and was presented the prestigious "Commander's Award For Public Service" by Colonel Dana Hurst, Commander. This award was presented to CPO Gough for his diligent investigative work, and successful conviction of two violators for an illegal tire dumping and burning operation on corps of engineer land along the New River. For the last 2 years CPO Gough has been conducting an investigation on illegal tire dumping in the Shumate area of the New River in Giles County. On 1-31-08 Officer Gough apprehended two subjects dumping tires along the river. During the interview both individuals who resided in Princeton, West Virginia admitted that they had dumped a total of approximately 500 tires during this 2 year period. One of the subjects stated that he learned how to do this from his father who had been doing it for years. On June 27, 2008 CPO Frank Gough testified and presented evidence concerning this case resulting in the conviction of both subjects in the Giles County General District Court. Fines and costs totaled over $10,000. This investigation also revealed additional violations by local tire businesses in West Virginia. CPO Gough's work exemplifies true professionalism in law enforcement and the protection of our natural resources. CPO Gough is the first Virginia Conservation Police Officer to receive this award.


On October 23, 2008 Conservation Police Officer James Brooks followed up on a trespassing complaint he received a week earlier. Acting on information received from witnesses Officer Brooks took descriptions of an individual to Richland’s Police Department hoping to get a lead on identification. With the aid of a Richland’s Police Department Officer Brooks was able to identify a suspect. After interviewing the suspect a confession was obtained as to hunting without permission on posted property. Officer Brooks also obtained information of a second suspect. After locating the second suspect Officer Brooks interviewed the suspect and obtained a confession as to hunting on posted property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, hunting without licenses and hunting with a firearm within the town limits of Richlands.

On Saturday October 18, 2008 afternoon at approximately 4:15 PM, Senior Conservation Police Officer Lee Wensel and Sgt. Charlie Mullins were notified by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office there was a hunting incident that involved a tree stand fall. Both officers responded to the incident near the community Shawsville. A 46 year old male had fallen while climbing a tree to access his homemade tree stand. He was not wearing a safety harness at time of the fall. Victim suffered 2 broken ribs. Investigation continues.

On October 24, 2008 while in route to his residence Conservation Police Officer Jason Harris was asked by the local sheriff’s office to check on a deer that had been hit on Route 58 East of Independence. While checking the given location Officer Harris observed a large light being cast from a vehicle on an open lot across the river. After making contact with the sheriff’s office and finding out that there were no deputies in the area Officer Harris watched the vehicle and decided to investigate. Officer Harris and a Grayson County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the location and encountered the vehicle leaving the area. The vehicle was stopped and found to be occupied by three people. Two shotguns loaded with buckshot were found in the vehicle along with a 3 million candlepower spotlight. When questioned, the subjects stated they were raccoon hunting. Two individuals were able to provide identification, but the third provided several different dates of birth and various forms of his name. After placing him under arrest the individual finally provided his real name and revealed that he was a two time convicted felon. Charges were placed for the following; (3) Spotlight while in possession of a firearm, (3) Hunt without license, (1) Identity Fraud, (1) Possession of firearm after having been convicted of a violent felony. The felon was transferred to the regional jail.



On 10/25/08 Officers Jason Harris, George Shupe, and Sgt. Rolland Cox worked an early morning saturated spotlight patrol in Grayson County. The officers had received complaints the weekend before concerning spotlighting. At 0655 Officer Shupe was watching deer in a field with his NVG’s when a vehicle approached and used a hand held spotlight to shine the field. Officer Shupe stopped the vehicle which was found to be occupied by two males. A .17 cal. Rifle, a Mathews Solo Cam, and Hoyt FastFlite bow were seized, along with the 1,000,000 candlelight power spotlight. Both subjects were charged with spotlighting with weapons in possession.


Region 4


On 10-22-08 @ 2240 hours, Virginia Conservation Police Officers Carl Martin and Ray Solomon were dispatched to Warren County for a spotlighting/shots fired complaint. They responded with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect vehicle was stopped and two freshly killed deer were located in back of the truck. The truck, occupied by three adult males, was found to contain a compound bow, crossbow, 12 gauge shotgun, bolts, arrows and bloody knives. The suspects admitted to shooting at 2 deer with the crossbow and 3 deer with the shotgun (killing two). The truck was impounded and each suspect was charged 3 counts of Spotlighting. The vehicle has since been released at the recommendation of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Warren County.

Virginia Conservation Police Sgt. Steve Bullman responded to a call on October 25th / 26th in Highland County in reference to a bear injuring a hunter. The information was that a bear had attacked a hunter on Upper Back Creek (Rt. 600) near Hightown in Highland County. Sgt. Bullman arrived at the scene at approximately 01:00 am. The “raccoon” hunters stated that their dogs had treed four bear; a sow with three cubs. As the party approached the tree, the sow and two of the cubs came down and ran off the mountain (Lantz Mountain). They stated that the victim approached the tree to look at the cub when it came down out of the tree and leaped off of the trunk and struck the victim in the head and shoulders area of his body. This knocked the victim to the ground and the cub ran off. The witnesses stated that the cub’s weight was about 60 to 70 pounds. They stated that the bear did not attack the victim in anyway and that the injuries were caused from the weight of the bear hitting the victim and the victim’s impact with the ground. The victim apparently suffered a dislocated shoulder and a broken collar bone. The victim was transported by helicopter to UVA Hospital in Charlottesville.